So whats the deal on the Applegate Fairbairn?

P

Phil the SP

Joined
Aug 7, 2001
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139
Ok folks, whats the deal on the A/F?

Good, bad, moderate?

Who ones one of these by Boker? Speak up!

Anybody do custom or semi-custom models?

Pro's/Con's?
 
A/F is superb combat knife, especially the handmade model from Bill Harsey of Creswell, Oregon.

Have worked with / owned the A/F from Applegate/Harsey for years now.

AMK offered a production version which, in its best format, relied upon a micarta grip. Very hard to find this model anymore.

Blackjack Knives made the A/F for awhile but where the steel was good the handle set-up needed improvement. We addressed how to do this in Fighting Knives magazine many, many moons ago.

The Boker version is very clean and feels nice in the hand. However, it is said the knife is being produced in China for Boker. If so, they are doing a good job although I've only seen one or two magazine articles on the B-A/F, and the basic knife eval format was used.

Anyone else out there know more or less on the Boker model?

GW
KU
 
I have the Boker A/F and I found it to be a really nice knife for the money. I have loved double edges for years but one complaint was always the thick edge geometry many have. Not so with the A/F. The edge is usable and holds a good edge. 440C steel seems to hold a decent edge and does not take an expert to sharpen.
The downfall to the knife is that I cannot exert any force onto the back of the blade but the knife is hardly designed to be used that way. I think there are some versions that have a sharpened edge only halfway back.
The handle is well shaped but I found that I would probably prefer a kraton or micarta grip becase the smooth plastics in their several forms (polymer etc) tend to be a little slippery when wet. In the knife's favor is the fact that its shape lends itself to a sure grip both thrusting and pulling. All in all you will be happy with the knife!
 
By the way...I am a police officer and K9 handler too! My dog is a Dutch Shep. named Ringo. I certify through NNDDA.
 
They are very good knives for what they are designed for. The person to talk to about these is Melvin-Purvis. He has a large collection of all kinds of Applegate-Fairbairns
 
Mr. Harsey he's your man he makes a high quality product. Why do you want this knife it really has only one use? I collect diffrent knives and this was one that I had to have he made me a spectacular A/F
 
Spud - my dog is a longhaired german shepherd, explosive detector/patrol. 8 years old, 88lbs. Hell of a dog.

Knifeguy - why do I want one? I think it would be the perfect weapon to carry along with an ATC Vietnam Tac.
 
Oh well in that case it's a perfect carry weapon. Where i'm from it's illegal to carry double edge blade. Or a blade over 4 inches which Mr. Harsey again made me a serious titanium folding knife with a 4.25 inch blade. I cant do much with these knives except collect them. I have carry knives too but not a custom one yet.

Mike
 
I have an A/F done by Butch Vallotton. It is a D/A with a Damasteel blade. The blade is a single edge but has a very convincing false edge on top. The liners are anodized, jeweled Ti and is an extremely smooth opener. I'm not sure how many Butch did. Out of all the D/A's that I own, the only ones I like better are my Larry Chews.

Ken
 
Hey Greg, hope the 'Sandbox' is treating you well...and agreed on Bill's work, about the best there is...bar none.

Phil the SP, I'm not sure I understand your question, but if you're asking if the Boker A/F fixed blade is well made; then yes, it's second only to a Harsey Handmade in fit/finish/material...

My wife and I are researching A/F's from a historical standpoint, and hope to put together a book project here in the near future...I think we have most of the A/F variants to date, and quite a bit of historical data so far...

Barry Wood, T.J. Yancey, Bill Harsey, Chuck Karwan, and Mike Stewert have agreed to help proof the work and provide technical help as needed...I'm hoping that as Greg finds time he'll help a bit too... ;)

Mel
 
I got one for Christmas :)

I had a choice between 3. One of the large ones and the little one weren't ground down on the back side of the blade, so the bladewas flat on that side which just didn't look right. The other large one was ground on both sides so that was the one that I chose. It's sharp and I like the 440C steel. Oh, and the sheath is really nice too. Just remember the velcro is noisy if you want this to carry.

Feels good in the hand and is really sharp. I would recommend it :D
 
Phil the SP
I have 3 of the Boker's an AF/ with the partially serrated blade, an A/F boot knife, and the Mini - Smatchett. I just sold my large non - serrated A/F a couple months ago. I like all the boker models, their balance and the finish is superb in my opinion. Also, they come with a pretty good edge right from the box.
Lagarto
 
Lagarto-

What do you think of the Mini-Smatchett? Been kind of interested in that one.
 
One more time, let's try this. So far the computer here has managed to eat this post twice, and every time it gets shorter. Here's the basic version mschwoeb buy the knife, you can't go wrong.
Lagarto
 
Hi Phil the SP,
You can't go wrong with A-F knife. Contact Bill Harsey. If you can do a little convincing he will make you one with micarta handle , not one with crappy Lexan. Be prepared to wait for some time. He is busy. But this knife has the best handling of anything i have ever owned. I will try to attach the pic.
 
Hehehe...per your advice, we contacted Bill for one like yours right after you posted that thread back in June of last year...

We're hoping to pick it up at the Oregon knife show in April...

Like I said before, "Sweet!" :D

Mel
 
Noting Andre's comment above about the blade being flat on one side. Why do they do that? What purpose does it serve?
 
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